OCC's Interpretive Letter 1188 Defines How Banks Can Join Risk-Free Crypto Deals

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, through Interpretive Letter 1188, states that national banks may take part in risk-free principal crypto transactions without maintaining inventory or price exposure. This clarification separates brokerage-style intermediation from proprietary trading and could support higher regulated liquidity in assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Market data show Bitcoin trading around $87,215.87 with declines over the last 24 hours and 90 days as banks explore new, legally defined ways to route client orders.